A GEORGE III FIGURED MAHOGANY TRIPLE PAD-TOP TABLE CLOCK Alexander Wilson, London, circa 1775 The five pillar twin fusee bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by lenticular bob pendulum incorporating rise/fall regulation to suspension, the backplate engraved with symmetrical foliate strapwork around a central basket motif, the 7 inch brass break-arch dial with curved false bob and calendar apertures to the finely matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating Arabic five minutes to outer track, with scroll-pierced steel hands and rococo scroll cast spandrels to angles, arch with twin subsidiary regulation and Strike/Silent dials beneath applied silvered signature plate engraved Alex.r Wilson, London and with foliate engraved infill to lower margins, the break-arch case with hinged brass carrying handle and three raised caddy moulded panels to the top surface over double cavetto top mouldings and break-arch glazed front door applied with raised mouldings around the dial aperture and with caddy moulded front angles, the sides with arched brass fish scale sound frets and the rear matching the front, on cavetto moulded skirt base with brass bracket feet. 40cm (15.75ins) high excluding handle, 29cm (11.5ins) wide, 19.5cm (7.75ins) deep. Provenance: Purchased from Dando Brothers, Bath in 1944 for £48. Alexander Wilson is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working from Drury Lane, London before 1772 and was a freeman of the Clockmakers Company 1781-94. Condition Report: Movement is in clean working condition; the escapement has been converted from verge to anchor albeit with minimal intervention to the plates (ie. has only a very small slot cut to the centre of the top plate to allow for the pallet arbor). The rise/fall regulation beam has been retained the backcock however appears to be a replacement. The base of the case has been cut with a slot to allow for the current longer pendulum and a thin panel applied to the underside to close the hole. The backplate has an unused treaded hole and adjacent steady-pin hole for a pendulum hold fast which is no longer present. Movement otherwise is in good original condition with no other obvious alterations or significant replacements. The dial is in sound original condition with nice detailing such as the engraved infill around the subsidiaries in the arch. The hands appear original, the matted surfaces appear a little dull on colour compared with the rest of the plate and the silvering has some patchy tarnishing to the finish, the false bob pendulum has been retained despite the conversion of the escapement from verge to anchor. The case is in generally good original condition. The top exhibits some very slight shrinkage cracking and movement but this is minimal; the left hand pad has small but noticeable scuff/bruise to the centre of the panel. The mask around the dial (behind the front door) has had a small section of veneer re-attached at the base of the arch to the left otherwise is in fine condition. The door retains its lock and hinges and the raised mouldings around the glazed aperture appear complete with no obvious replacements although some shrinkage cracking is evident; the key hole has a small adjacent veneer chip to a historic veneer patch repair evident due to an area of darker colouring. Both sides have very slight chips to the veneer ovelaps bordering the brass sound frets otherwise are in good condition. The rear door has a 2 inch section of moulding to the arch replaced (not the best quality repair) otherwise is in good original condition retaining lock and hinges. The case has old French polish and wax finish which has mellowed and there are minor historic bumps, scuffs and other minor blemishes commensurate with age. Clock has a pendulum and winder but no case key. Condition Report Disclaimer